fashion industry.”
Dutch Designer Duran Lantink Takes Home International Woolmark Prize and $300,000 Cash Prize
“I’ve Always Been Obsessed with Clothes,” Says Lantink
Dutch designer Duran Lantink has been named the winner of this year’s International Woolmark Prize, taking home a cash prize of $300,000 AUD and support from Woolmark Prize retail partners. Lantink, known for his experimental and boundary-pushing designs, was awarded the prestigious prize at a ceremony in Milan on Wednesday evening.
“I’ve always been very obsessive about clothes,” Lantink shared. “As a young child, I would sneak up into my mom’s room and I would start stealing her clothes and cutting them up and experimenting… I’m really about shape, and forms, and trying to create new ideas.”
Using the $60,000 AUD Woolmark grant, Lantink created several knitwear pieces for his Fall 2025 “Duranimal” collection, including exoskeleton gowns knit by Dutch artisans in Amsterdam. His collection caught the eye of an esteemed judging panel led by Donatella Versace and Ib Kamara, earning him a spot among past Woolmark Prize winners such as Saul Nash, Matty Bovan, and Gabriela Hearst.
Pieter Mulier of Alaïa Wins Inaugural Karl Lagerfeld Award for Innovation
In addition to Lantink’s win, Pieter Mulier, creative director of Alaïa, was awarded the newly evolved Karl Lagerfeld Award for Innovation. This award is presented to any brand or individual in the fashion industry that has pushed the boundaries of Merino wool innovation. Mulier’s Fall 2024 “One Yarn” collection, crafted entirely from a single Merino wool yarn, impressed the judges and solidified his win.
“I am so honoured and happy to receive the inaugural Karl Lagerfeld Award for Innovation,” Mulier expressed. “At Alaïa, wool plays an important role in the search for innovation and modernity. In my Summer Fall 2024 collection, one single yarn was used as a full concept, pushing how the richness of wool can be translated in all shapes, sizes, textures, and forms. Thank you so much, this truly means the world to us.”
Südwolle Group Receives 2025 Supply Chain Award
Lastly, the 2025 Supply Chain Award was given to Südwolle Group for their ongoing commitment to innovation and product development. The company has been recognized for their dedication to pushing the boundaries of Merino wool and their contributions to the fashion industry.
Eight Finalists Announced for 2025 International Woolmark Prize
In other news, the International Woolmark Prize has revealed the eight finalists for the 2025 edition of the esteemed fashion award. This year’s contenders include ACT N°1 (Italy), Diotima (USA), Duran Lantink (The Netherlands), Ester Manas (Belgium), LGN Louis Gabriel Nouchi (France), Luar (USA), Meryll Rogge (Belgium), and Standing Ground (UK/Ireland). Each designer will receive $60,000 AUD to develop six Merino wool looks for their Fall/Winter 2025 collection or as a standalone project.
Ib Kamara Named Guest Artistic Director for 2025 Final Event
Woolmark has also announced that Ib Kamara, editor-in-chief of Dazed and creative director of Off-White™, will serve as the guest artistic director for the 2025 final event. “I’m honored to be joining the amazing team at Woolmark for the 2025 Woolmark Prize, bringing fresh creativity as we celebrate these design talents,” Kamara stated. “It’s so important that we nurture and inspire the talent who are shaping the future of the fashion industry.
